When your usual crew calls off a session due to weather, go solo with the Raceblade Fenders.

We embrace the concept of owning a backup bike. Call it what you will -- a trainer bike, a rain bike, a beater bike, whatever. But the reality of things is this: When you're in real training mode you're going to ride outside rain or shine, and each day closer you get to your "A" race, the more averse you'll be to riding any other bike than the exact bike you'll be racing. The harmony of man and machine is elemental, and the experience of owning a race bike is no different from the experience of having a new, really hot girlfriend -- the "getting to know you" part of the process is a delight, then once that stage is over you take immense comfort in the familiarity of things.

Our observation is hardly paradigm-shattering. After all, who doesn't want to ride their favorite bike? And who wants to take time away from riding their favorite bike and instead devote time to cleaning it? Hence the SKS Race Blade fenders. They are terribly un-American but likewise very Euro in purpose: When pros train in Belgium in the Spring they slap fenders on their race bikes. Why? Because rain or shine the hard-men of Belgium are putting in their daily 6 hours, and they don't want their backsides and legs soaked to the bone 10 minutes into the ride. The Race Blade keeps you dry from road spray, and it goes a long way to prevent your bike from getting waterlogged and otherwise trashed.

We dig on the Race Blade for one central reason: They use a rubber grommet system to attach to your bike. Think of it as being like a quick release system. It literally takes 10 seconds of tool-free time to put them on and take them off. They stay firmly in place, but they won't mar your frame -- be it a steel or alloy frame with glossy paint, or a carbon frame with a lush clear coat. Take these on and off for season after season and your bike won't look a any different for it. In addition, they're light and nicely aerodynamic.

The Race Blade fits 700c wheels equipped with tires ranging in size from 18c-23c. They're available in 3 colors: Black, White, and what they refer to as "Carbon Look," a very fast-looking faux carbon fiber finish. They weigh in at 250g for both the front and rear fenders, as well as the mounting hardware.

Mounts quickly with tool-free rubber grommet system

Fits 700c wheels equipped with tires ranging in size from 18c-23c

The front and rear fender with mounting hardware weighs in around 250g

Have an answer for Caetie O.?

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#sopro

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Every pro i've ever met uses fenders, i promise. You spend hours outside in the winter in the wet; you need fenders. These are easy to take on and take off, equally light weight and offer great protection.

Comment on Robert Smallman's review:

Average ride time is based on Strava activity over the last 3 months. Give your reviews credibility by connecting your account.

Easy and Dry

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Doesn't get much easier than throwing on a couple of over sized rubber bands around your sit stays and fork to attach these fenders. Easy to throw on quick in the morning, as you rush out the door for a training ride or commute in bad weather. Keeps the nasty off your feet and backside, and off your buddies face if you plan on doing some group rides in nasty weather. Doesn't get much simpler than that, I've liked them a lot this winter.

Comment on Trevor J's review:

Simple solution

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I bought these a number of years ago to use on a old road bike I converted to a fixed gear. Easy on and off, never had had a problem with them moving while riding. Only complaint I have and it has been said here the mounts will leave marks on your frame where they attach. Being an older bike with pretty chips and marks on the frame not a big deal. I have also used them on regular road bike but only temporarily and haven't had problems with marks on the frame.

Comment on Dan's review:

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so so

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I wanted a set of these fenders for a few seasons. Finally picked up a set and these just are not what I expected. They are lightweight and are mounted easily, but keeping them centered on the wheel is a challenge. Make sure to use a protective film anywhere these make contact to the bike or the mounts will tear up your paint. I have used these on three totally different winter rides and all three times I had to readjust during the ride. The rear fender makes a terrrible racket on bumps. Overall I think they would stop about 80% of the spray onto your feet, but think about 20% of the spary hitting your feet over the course of a long ride and you have saturated feet. The rear fender does a great job eliminating spray up the back. These are a decent solution if you are not able to mount a more permanent fender and you don't mind the racket they make.

Comment on T Elliott's review:

Not Perfect But Better Than Expected

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I've used these for three seasons now and have the fender placement down pretty good but still have problems with clearance on the rear which is so close that sand quickly builds up while riding in the road conditions I need it the most, that is post snow roads that have been salted and sanded. For that reason I have switched to a rear mountain bike fender that doesn't work as well but also doesn't require me to stop mid ride and readjust the fender. The front works fine and is the only front, portable fender I have found that is long enough to protect the drivetrain as well as protect me.

My biggest complaint is that the curved rubber compression mounts cause the bikes clear coat paint to rub off, but whenever you attach a friction mount to a painted service this should be expected.

Comment on Don R.'s review:

Not What I Was Expecting

I didn't look closely enough at these when I made my purchase. As a result I was disappointed when I received what I would call cheap looking and ill fitting fenders. I just saw the fenders and size without looking closely enough at what I would actually be receiving. Lesson learned. The day after I installed these I went to a local shop and found a more solid permanent set of fenders for the $15 cheaper. These may work for you, but don't expect a permanent fender that will look like and feel like part of the bike.

Comment on Asa P.'s review:

Easy Install

Familiarity: I've used it several times

I put these on a single speed road bike and they work great. They are incredibly light weight and the install was pretty easy. You can install them for easy on/off, or do a more permanent install with zip ties.

Have an answer for Jackson?

Jackson are you thinking of using these with a slick tire? They are made for a 700c wheel so they are the right circumference, but they are not made for big knobby tires so that would be your limiting factor. They are pretty much only designed for road tires.

Comment on Mark Parrett's answer:

solid

Finally broke down and decided to try fenders. It wasn't the rooster tail, it was the sub-32F cold salt water pounding the back of my thighs for three hours brrrrrr 1-if you plan to keep these on all season, check out the Crud fenders. Apparently they fit pro bikes (4mm clearance needed), yet are full coverage i.e. like the big ones that attach on frame mounts. There is even (apparently) a wheel well to protect your front derail. In the past I have had a problem with water comming off the road and then freezing on the bike (one solid chunk of ice w/ no brakes,frozen shifting, and a single frozen rock for a rear casette). In this situation I think these might be better than minimalist coverage of SKS. 2-once set up, the SKS go on and off easily, while minimizing the dork factor. 3-learn from my mistake: I dont think you bend the metal stays as much as torque the fender to bend diffferently. I found the front took a lot of bending as the clearances are tight, and I suspect the default is not a straight blade fork (i.e. default is fork w/bend in it). If you have to bend the stays, THEY WILL SLIDE BACK to their default unless you screw them down w/enclosed screws. So after an hour on the road, the fender slipped in the holder, and I wore off my mud flap attachment peg. Hope this helps dan

Comment on DanL's review:

for being anti-fender, I sure like these a lot

Put off buying fenders for two wintery wet seasons, and finally gave in. The sleek profile of these fenders, along with the simple and minimalistic mounting, make these a good addition to my ride. Switching back and forth between my fixie and my roadie is a little difficult because of the different forks and spacing, but all in all, extrememly easy to use. The addition of the Aero converters is a big help for those forks that aren't your basic every day set up. The set comes with 4 rubber strips, as well as 2 extras in case you snap one. They are easy to adjust, and once you know your spacing, they can be removed and put on in about a minute flat.

A must have if you're not a fan of the mud skunk racing stripe when you arrive.

Have an answer for freed0m?

Of you are using a tire less than 23mm they should fit fine. I think the Diem has a larger tire though. Also, I believe the Diem has mount for standard fender so if you are looking for a full time fender get those for sure because the raceblades are best used one day at a time and not permanently.

Comment on Damon Salter's answer:

Seem to work but

I have a Raleigh Grand Sport 2008. These fenders fit on the bike with a problem. I do have troubles with adjusting to make sure there is no rubbing when i am accelerating hard. I will hopefully update this later once snow begins to fall so I can comment on really wet conditions.

Comment on Eric Leis's review:

better than a water wedgie

When you ride in the rain, it's pretty much a given that you're going to get soaked one way or another. What I really needed from a fender was one that could mount easily, and keep the rooster tail from splattering that attractive brown mud stripe all up and down my jacket and backpack.

Was pretty skeptical on how these would perform, given that they're mounted with a only couple of rubber straps, and don't provide the level of coverage from a full road fender. However, after much finagling on the proper height (I'd first mounted them too low, and on a test run, they rubbed against the tire) to mount them on my steel frame, I hit the road in a surprise rainstorm, and came back completely soaked--save for my asscrack, and my lower back, just beneath my messenger bag (which was also bone dry). Seat rails and post were also totally clean.

So, mission accomplished?

* easy to mount, but admittedly tricky to find optimal spacing and fit between fender and tire * this particular blade runs up to a 23mm wide tire * low-profile design nicely dials down the dork factor for your roadie rig * ideal for strapping on for that just-after-rain road wetness